"I like it, because it gives you a chance to stay rested and recuperate." Madison's Nick Montgomery, on only having to wrestle one match on Thursday

By the numbers

22: Total area wrestlers that qualified for the state tournament.

19-12: The record of those 22 wrestlers on the first day at state

18: Seconds it took Grandview Heights' Brendan Fitzgerald to pin Defiance Ayersville's Francisco Alvarado, the fastest of the day

17.5: Team points for Perry, good for fourth place in Division II

11,084: Attendance at Value City Arena on Thursday

Opening act

After 30 years of paying his dues, Jim Behrens made his state tournament debut as an official on Thursday. The Painesville resident had a big smile on his face.

"It means everything," Behrens said. "Like wrestlers want to get here, so do we as officials. It's the big show. I'm happy to have the opportunity and hope to represent the association well."

Other officials from The News-Herald area officiating this weekend are Guy Trinetti Sr., Tony Indiano, Jeff Lorence, Kevin Coates and Mike Rovtar.

Playing for eats

Perry's wrestling team is making sure it doesn't miss out on anything this weekend, even in cuisine.

Assistant coach Dave Sarosy said 126-pounder Aaron Gessic geared up for his state tournament with a massive order of biscuits and gravy on Thursday morning. Heavyweight Billy Miller had a double entree on Wednesday night -- a full plate of pasta and a sandwich platter.

Evan Nichols did his own damage at the dinner table, but just smiled when the topic of food came up.

"Yeah, and they (Miller and Nichols) proceed to tell us all the sacrifices they make during the season with their diets," said Sarosy with a roll of his eyes.

Seating upgrade

A year ago, University's Walker Chieffe came to the state tournament as an alternate, with only the slim hope of sneaking into the tournament should a wrestler in his weight class scratch.

So when Chieffe not only qualified for this year's tournament, but also won a match in the consolation round to stay alive in the 120-pound bracket in Division II, suffice it to say it was an upgrade over last year.

"To see all the hard work pay off is just the best," said Chieffe, a resident of Bainbridge Township. "Last year, I was stuck just watching the matches. It was fun, but it stunk, too. Now that I'm here, I want to have some fun."

Fond memory

A year ago, Lake Catholic's Anthony Tutolo was wrestling with a heavy heart after his close friend Danny Parmertor was one of the students killed in the shooting at Chardon High School.

Wednesday marked one year since the incidents. Tutolo admitted his friend is never far from his thoughts.

"I think about it all the time," Tutolo said after his opening-round win on Thursday. "Sometimes I break down a little bit. But I know he's always with me. I know he's with me still. It doesn't feel like he's gone because I know he'll always be watching over me."